New Delhi: With the Supreme Court permitting the use of certified green firecrackers in Delhi-NCR for two days ahead of Diwali, questions have resurfaced over their environmental impact and whether they can help reduce the region’s worsening air pollution.
The court has allowed their use on November 7 and 8, between 6 am and 7 am and 8 pm and 10 pm. Crackers containing barium and products without CSIR-NEERI certification remain prohibited. A complete ban will come into effect from November 9.
Green crackers are specially manufactured fireworks designed to release fewer pollutants than conventional ones. Developed under the CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), they use modified chemical compositions and additives such as zeolites and iron oxide to reduce emissions.
According to CSIR-NEERI criteria, certified products must reduce particulate matter emissions by at least 30%, or achieve a 20% reduction in particulate matter along with a minimum 10% reduction in gaseous emissions.
A 2023 study published in Environmental Pollution reported a 30-60% reduction in particulate matter and barium emissions in the specific green cracker formulations examined.
However, lower emissions do not mean zero pollution. Fireworks continue to release PM2.5, PM10 and other harmful particles. Dr Raj Kumar, Senior Consultant in Pulmonary Medicine at ISIC Multispeciality Hospital, cautioned that exposure can aggravate asthma, COPD and other respiratory conditions, particularly among children and older adults.
Consumers can identify certified products through the CSIR-NEERI logo and product-specific QR codes, which help verify their authenticity.
Experts also point out that the overall benefit depends on how many crackers are burst and how effectively certification rules are enforced. In Delhi-NCR, where multiple pollution sources already affect air quality, green crackers may reduce emissions but cannot eliminate the pollution caused by Diwali fireworks.
